Arthritis meds

[nearlymrsblair]

Hi everyone, im new to this and it's my first post so if this is in the wrong section please let me know, im hoping to start ttc in a few months time but i have psioratic arthritis, i take mobic for this and i know i can't take it while im pregnant but im just wondering if anyone knows if i have to stop taking it when we start trying?

any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

[Mildez]

I was on mobic whilst I feel pregnant unexpectedly with my DD. I was advised to terminate as it could (a long with another arthritis med and the pill) cause birth defects. I didn't terminate and my DD is very heathy no birth defects. I wouldn't want to ever go through something like that again. Having tests to see if she was effected etc. I would advise you to stop taking it when you start ttc. I don't think you need to be off it for so many months, weeks etc before you start ttc.

[Claire_A]

Hi nearlymrsblair and welcome to bb!

I have psoriatic arthritis too, however I was taking celebrex not mobic. I continued taking celebrex until I found out I was pg and then stopped immediately. I was scared about going off my meds altogether but my arthritis went into remission for my whole pregnancy. My rheumatologist suggested I go on salazopyrn (sp?) when I was ttc as it's safe during pg, but I've tried it a few times in the past and it always makes me really sick. Sorry I know I didn't answer your question but just wanted to lend you some support!

Good luck ttc, I wish you all the best.

[HotI]

Most women's hospitals have a drug info centre, where you can get info on drugs and pregnancy/breastfeeding. Rodney Whyte from Monash (03) 9594 2361 was very helpful when i needed info on some medications.

Just by googling, the main danger period for the bub with Mobic seems to be the last 3 months of pregnancy. The use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflamm) can cause a valve in the bub's heart to close earlier than it should. It's better that you get your info from a professional who can look at your specific details, so you can decide on your options.

My condition (not arthritis) has also improved during pregnancy, so hoping that happens for you too.

Victoria - Monash Medical Centre Telephone: (03) 9594 2361 or email Rodney Whyte r.whyte@southernhealth.org.au
Or Drug Information Centre, Royals Women's Hospital (03) 9344 2277
New South Wales - Mothersafe. Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation Service: Phone (02) 9382 6539 or 1800 647 848.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Drug Information Canberra Hospital (02) 6244 3333
Queensland- Queensland Drug Information Centre (07) 3636 7098
Western Australia - Obstetric Drug Information Service Telephone: (08) 9340 2723
All States Medicines Line (National Prescribing Service) 1300 888 763.

[butterfly_warrior]

I have a rheumatoid arthritis, but I believe the treatment for RA is very similar to PA.

You are correct - NSAIDs are out, which rules out mobic (and other drugs like ibuprofen, naprosyn, celebrex, etc).

Among the slow-acting or disease-modifying drugs, salazopyrin is pretty much the only safe option. There are some who believe that plaquenil is safe, but not very many.

And that leaves prednisone. Nasty, evil, horrible drug that's a pain in the butt to get off, but it's safe in pregnancy (although, I did find out after having my baby at 36 weeks that it can cause premature rupture of the waters, which is how labour started in my case), particularly in the early stages. I'd advise weaning off as quickly as possible if it is at all possible, though.

I went through three years of TTC and IVF with salazopyring and prednisone. Things did improve during pregnancy, but as things hadn't been managed properly leading up to my pregnancy, I didn't ever get really good like some people do. I also had the flare from hell when my baby was born.

The only other advice I can give is get everything checked out thoroughly for both yourself and your husband sooner rather than later. I'm fairly convinced that things got so bad after the birth of my baby simply because of poor management leading up to falling pregnant. But we tried for a year before starting IVF and due to other complicating factors it was then another 18 months before we finally got a sticky pregnancy.

Good luck with everything. Feel free to ask questions if there's anything that's been unclear.

BW

[Mildez]

My condition improved also. Well before I was pregnant I was diagnosed with arthritis and was treated accordingly (and it worked) but turns out I was misdiagnosed and actually had polyneuropathy. So I can't really say my so called arthritis improved as it wasn't that after all.

[nearlymrsblair]

Thank you all for your advice, i already take salazapyrin(sp?) and i was taking plaquinil but i stopped taking that as it was making me really ill, I have been taking mobic every day since i was 17 and im now 23, i have recently started taking it every second day, tryin to weane myself off of it.

I'm a waitress and im not quite sure how i will go coming off mobic when ttc,I have it mainly in my fingers and toes, i think i will just have to get really good shoes and have heat packs/ice packs for my hands and try alternative things. I have heard that it can go in remission so fingers crossed.

Has anyone ever tried accupuncture? or anything herbal/alternative?

Emmy83- do you mean that is doesnt matter how soon i come off mobic before ttc, just as long as i come off before we start trying? sorry i just got a little confussed.

Thank you all heaps, i haven't really met anyone else who has or wants to have children who have arthritis, it's really nice theres others out there to talk too!

[butterfly_warrior]

I had acupuncture to support my IVF treatment. If I was having a bad flare, she would treat it (my hands can also be pretty bad), and I found the relief was pretty instantaneous, but it just wouldn't last all that long.

One thing you may want to look into - baltic amber. A lot of people (myself included) use them on babies as teething necklaces. There's a substance in the baltic amber that is absorbed into the skin and helps with the pain and inflammation from teething. I can state quite emphatically that it also works well on the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. It hasn't fixed me, but it has taken the edge off.

BW